ANNOUNCING THE 2024 HUMAN ANIMAL BOND INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

The Pet Effect

Did you know that cat owners are 40% less likely to die of a heart attack than those without a cat?

Learn more about The Pet Effect here.

Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) Honors:

CancerCare

Public Service Category

Meals on Wheels America

Public Service Category

Sesame Workshop

Media Category

Kimpton Hotels

Pet-Inclusive Culture Category

Tybee Island Police Department

Pet-Inclusive Infrastructure Category

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) today announced the winners of its annual Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards, which recognize companies and organizations with innovative products and programs designed to advance the human-animal bond and create a more pet-friendly society. The 2024 Human Animal Bond Innovation Award winners are:

Public Service Category: CancerCare

CancerCare’s Pet Assistance and Wellness (PAW) program helps people diagnosed with cancer stay together with their beloved pet by providing financial assistance for pet-related expenses, such as pet food, vet visits, pet sitting and boarding. The PAW Program was launched in 2020 and has given over 3,700 financial assistance grants to date.

Public Service Category: Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels bridges human services and animal welfare to ease the challenges of pet ownership and preserve the human-animal bond. What started as small programs providing ad hoc support has grown to be robust and multi-faceted programs encompassing an array of services, including pet food and supply deliveries, access to veterinary care, grooming, emergency boarding, and dog walking. The organization has also released national research findings to the public to raise awareness among new audiences about the prevalence of social isolation and the effectiveness of pet programs as a solution

The Public Service category is sponsored by Zoetis.

Media Category: Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop believes that children often have special relationships with animals. Whether it’s a family pet or a stuffed animal, furry friends can provide kids an avenue for learning new skills, while growing in self-confidence, empathy, and friendship. Sesame Workshop launched a preschool-focused, digital series – Best Friends Fur-ever – about a 4-year-old girl, Julia, with autism and her pet dog Rose, and how they support one another’s physical and emotional needs. Sesame Workshop has also hosted webinars for people to learn about the science of the human-animal bond with leading researchers in the field, specifically about how animal-assisted interventions can support autistic children’s well-being.

Pet-Inclusive Culture Category: Kimpton Hotels

Pets are welcome at more than 76 Kimpton Hotels locations in 55 cities around the world. In 1992, Kimpton became the first hotel company to introduce a brand-wide pet-friendly policy. The standard pet policy welcomes two pets of any size for no additional fee. Bill Kimpton, the hotel’s founder, would bring his dog Chianti to work with him, and today there are even honorary dog staff across select Kimpton hotels. These Directors of Pet Relations greet guests in the lobby and quality test the pet amenities, which include pet beds, water bowls, and food. Some benefits for pet owners include a concierge list of nearby pet-friendly restaurants, parks, groomers and pet boutiques and complimentary access to Wag! Premium during the stay, which connects dog owners to professional pet caregivers in the area.

The Pet-Inclusive Culture category is sponsored by Nestlé Purina.

Pet-Inclusive Infrastructure Category: Tybee Island Police Department

The Tybee Island (Georgia) Police Department partnered with Humane Society for Greater Savannah to help adoptable pets. This new program, “K9 for a Day”, selects dogs – and some cats – to spend the day with Tybee Island police officers. The adoptable pets ride in patrol cars and have meet & greets in the community. Every pet that has participated has been adopted or found a foster home – many times on the same day they join the patrol. The program has tremendous support from the entire department and the community. It serves as a model for community partnerships for other law enforcement agencies and animal welfare organizations that constantly need creative ideas to help shelter animals find homes.

“PetSmart Charities is proud to again be the Presenting Sponsor for the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards to celebrate the human-animal bond and how this relationship is being supported and honored across communities,” said Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities and Vice Chair of the HABRI Board of Trustees. “This year’s winners safeguard and enhance the relationship between pets and people in unique, innovative ways and we hope to inspire others through recognizing and sharing their important work.”

“HABRI is grateful to Presenting Sponsor: PetSmart Charities; Category Sponsors: Purina and Zoetis; and Supporting Sponsor, the World Pet Association,” said HABRI President Steven Feldman. “These organizations have not only made the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards possible, but they have also demonstrated a strong and enduring commitment to the human-animal bond.”

For more information about these winners and the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards, please visit www.habri.org/hab-innovation-awards

About HABRI

HABRI is a not-for-profit organization that funds innovative scientific research to document the health benefits of companion animals; educates the public about human-animal bond research; and advocates for the beneficial role of companion animals in society. For more information, please visit http://www.habri.org.

Contact

Hayley Maynard

Hayley@inspireprgroup.com

614.701.8205

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Press Releases

Pet Ownership Saves $22.7 Billion in Annual Health Care Costs

Pet ownership saves the U.S. health care system $22.7 billion annually, according to a newly released economic report. The report, commissioned by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), examined the health care cost savings associated with pet ownership in the United States. The report – made possible by a grant from Banfield Pet Hospital – was co-authored by Terry L. Clower, PhD and Tonya E. Thornton, PhD, MPPA, both of whom have extensive expertise in economic and public policy research. Their analysis not only reflects savings from better overall health for pet owners in the form of fewer doctor visits per year, but also tracks specific savings for key public health issues affecting millions of Americans, including reduced obesity, reduced infections, and better mental health for children, seniors, and our nation’s veterans. Annual Health Care Cost Savings Associated with Pet Ownership “The results of this analysis are conservative and likely underestimate the positive health care savings connected to pet ownership,” said Dr. Clower. “Presently, there is not yet sufficient data available to calculate the direct heath care cost savings for some of the known beneficial health effects of pet ownership and we believe that future analyses will show even greater economic benefits.” “By commissioning this economic report, we are documenting the important role of pets as valued contributors to public health,” said Steven Feldman, president of HABRI. “This data suggests that there should be stronger societal support for keeping pets and people healthy together.” The full report, The Health Care Cost Savings of Pet Ownership, is available for download at https://habri.org/health-care-cost-savings/. Report Methodology The report authors conducted an analysis of the health care cost savings associated with pet ownership by examining the scientifically-documented health benefits of pet ownership; identifying the populations receiving these benefits;...

Press Releases

Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and LifeLearn Animal Health Team up to Create Shareable Content for Veterinarians: The Human-Animal Bond Kit

In recognition of Pet Appreciation Week, the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), in partnership with LifeLearn Animal Health, have created a new, shareable human-animal bond kit, highlighting the health benefits of a healthy relationship with a pet. The scientific research that supports the human-animal bond – or the mutually beneficial relationship between people and pets – for better health indicates that pets can make a difference in promoting physical activity, facilitating social connectedness, healthy aging and more. According to HABRI’s survey of pet ownersi, knowledge of the human-animal bond improves pet care and welfare. When educated on the scientific research on the health benefits of pets: 92% of pet owners are more likely to maintain their pet’s health, including keeping up with vaccines and preventative medicine 89% of pet owners are more likely to take their pet to the vet for regular check-ups HABRI and LifeLearn are proud to work together in creating shareable content for veterinarians and animal health professionals. The more we can remind people that in good times and bad, our companion animals are wonderful sources of support, comfort and joy, the healthier and happier we will be, together.

Press Releases

Ancestry® Maker of Know Your Pet DNA Joins with HABRI to Champion the Human-Animal Bond

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is proud to announce a new partnership with Ancestry®, maker of the Know Your Pet DNA test. This collaboration will advance scientific research on the bond between people and pets, enhancing our understanding of the profound health benefits that this relationship provides. Ancestry will support HABRI’s ongoing efforts to fund innovative research on the human-animal bond. HABRI has to date funded 57 research projects examining the positive health impacts of the bond for both people and animals including improved mental, physical and social health. “Ancestry is proud to support HABRI’s mission,” said Caitlyn Bruns, Senior Manager of DNA Strategy at Ancestry. “Ancestry started Know Your Pet DNA because we believe that understanding the genetics and history of our pets not only enriches the lives of animals but also strengthens the connections we share with them.” In collaboration with Ancestry, HABRI will continue to educate the public about the human-animal bond, creating new opportunities to communicate the far-reaching impact of pets on society and the value of companion animals as a part of healthy lifestyles. “Scientific research has consistently shown that the human-animal bond plays a vital role in enhancing quality of life,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. “Partnering with Ancestry will allow us to further explore how these relationships affect both humans and pets in meaningful ways and provide new insights into how we can strengthen this connection.”